When this issue reaches you, the new government at the centre will have presented its first full-fledged budget after assuming power in May last year. Expectations always run high from this annual exercise but this year they have reached unprecedented levels. Let us hope that the expectations of the electorate that gave this government a clear mandate are fulfilled to some extent.
It is more than six decades ago that our country gained independence, and we chose democracy as the form of government. The British rulers, who ruled us for more than 150 years, were confident that our fledgling democracy would gradually degenerate into anarchy. It is to the credit of the Indian citizens that despite a huge diversity, in terms of education, wealth, religion and language democracy has not only survived but flourished.
A mature electorate has carried out major transitions of power. In 1977, we saw the Congress which seemed impregnable being dethroned. A couple of years ago, we witnessed the virtually invincible Communist Party being humbled in its bastion. Around eight months ago, we witnessed a party that had been reduced to 2 seats in Parliament in 1984, a party that had to manage a large coalition of allies to remain in power, command a majority on its own. But the most thrilling change was the emphatic victory of a party that had been written off by many exactly 8 months ago, yours truly being one of them. Yet the outfit simply steamrolled everything in its path. What then could be the reason for such a landslide victory? Is this a precursor of things to come or is a flash in the pan win?
Our country has seen political parties of all hues, the grand old party of the pre independence era the Congress, the Communists, the right of centre parties and a large number of regional outfits. In theory each party had an ideology, and represented a section of the people. And yet in the period of 60 years, the electorate or at least a large part of them is disenchanted with virtually each political party. There could be many reasons for this but the most significant one is that once elected to power, politicians join a class of their own. They seem to develop a disconnect with the people whom they represent. They begin to look at their own interest rather than of those who elected them.
A major reason for this is the election system. Under the current system, fighting an election is a huge cost which no average individual can afford. Consequently, either the party on whose ticket he contests or the individual himself has to raise funds. For this funding parties and politicians invariably turn to those who can give handsome donations on or off the record, expecting some favour in return. This creates vested interests and promotes corruption. Gradually, the distinction between collecting funds for party and for oneself gets blurred, and the corrupt politician is born. Transparency, integrity and accountability are given a burial. The people who elect the politician cease to identify themselves with him.
It is in this scenario that the party that won the Delhi assembly elections, brought about a refreshing change. Firstly, the person at the helm of the party was one from amongst the general public, one with whom they identified with as an “Aam Aadmi”. He was not the classical politician. He had led an agitation for them just before he fought the election. There were many who disagreed with his methods and to some extent his ideology, but there was no one who doubted his integrity and commitment to the cause in which he believed. Further, his methods were transparent, and the people felt that he would be accountable for his actions. It was on the basis of these distinctive features that he could assume power in the first round of elections less than a year ago. Unfortunately, he was in the company of well-meaning but immature individuals who did not appreciate the difference between agitational politics and governance. This resulted in the Chief Minister of State leading an agitation. Confronted with unprecedented situations he resigned, which was seen by many as abdicating or avoiding responsibility.
Within a short time this young outfit seems to have learnt its lessons well. In the election campaign it stood out by not criticising its opponents below the belt, motivating voters and ensuring that their case was heard. This resulted in those disillusioned and disheartened with the run of the mill politician switching sides and voting en masse for this party. As results of exit polls started trickling in, the writing was on the wall for the opponents of this party. However, the extent of victory shocked everyone. The reason for that landslide win was of course one of the other illnesses of the election system namely the ”first past the post” principle. On that account though the other parties did get a reasonably significant vote share that did not translate into any seats at all.
This huge win itself raises many challenges. With virtually no opposition to speak of, the ruling party in the state legislature will have to work out modalities whereby it builds a system of checks and balances where the other side is also heard. Further, it will have to ensure a definite role for its elected members who cannot directly participate in governance. Though personal ambitions of those who cannot make it to government positions can be controlled, they cannot be wished away.
If this young party can set modest goals, avoid populist freebies, ensure that they remain connected with the people, and at the first sight of corruption in their own party nip it in the bud, they will grow from strength to strength. If that does not happen, then over a period of time they will become like any other political outfit. But there is hope, from the manner in which the man who leads the party has communicated with his fellow partymen, and warned them of the ills of arrogance. If his partymen pay heed to his words then maybe we will have democracy in its true sense- “government of the people, by the people and for the people”.
